Portland Things to Do Tips by WulfstanTraveller

Lovejoy Columns

The Lovejoy Columns are old supports for the Lovejoy Ramp that went over the old railyard in the Pearl. A railyard worker painted pictures on them over the years whilst working under the ramp. They are being preserved and are currently in an open small area in the Pearl on NW 10th near Flanders.

Columbia River Gorge

About a 30minute drive east of Portland along I-84 is the Columbia River Gorge scenic area. Thus lush, forested gorge area of mountains along the Columbia River includes scenic vistas, most notably Crown Point State Park, and numerous waterfalls in forested hills, most notably Multnomah Falls.

There are numerous sites and places to see in the area. The Oregon State Parks website has a good map of the sites at:

http://www.oregonstateparks.org/images/pdf/HCRH_falls.pdf

Directions: Just east of Troutdale, Oregon, along the Columbia River and I-84.

Other Contact: http://www.oregonstateparks.org/

Website: http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_150.php

Pioneer Courthouse Square Downtown Review

At the heart of downtown Portland is Pioneer Courthouse Square, an open square with seating, water fountain, etc., in the middle of a major shopping area. It takes its name from, and is right next to, the historic old Pioneer Courthouse (see my tip on that), an interesting historic building giving views of the immediate area from the cupola on top.

Directions: It's downtown between SW Broadway and 6th Ave, Yamhill and Morrison Streets.

Tom McCall Waterfront Park Water Front Park Review

Portland has a nice park along the waterfront of the Willamette River downtown. It is right along the Old Town shore of the river, once a busy commercial area and a heart of the city's early economic activity.

There is plenty of grass for kids to run in, or to relax, plus walking and bicycle paths, sculptures, etc.

Address: Waterfront Park

Directions: Along Naito Parkway from SW Harrison to NW Glisan, right along the western bank of the river at downtown/Old Town. It goes under Burnside at the Burnside Bridge.

Website: http://www.portlandonline.com/parks/finder/index.cfm?PropertyID=156&action=ViewPark

Chinatown Chinatown Review

Portland's Chinatown is the old area of town north of Downtown proper and just west of Old Town/Skidmore, although the lines between Chinatown, Old Town, and Downtown blur in reality and are somewhat arbitrary as the areas are all essentially "downtown" in character and location. The most obvious distinction is Burnside, the great north-south divider of Portland, which clearly separates Chinatown from Downtown proper.

This is an older part of the city, long a bit run-down, and an eclectic mix of places. It is partly spruced up, partly not, still with some empty lots and parking lots, flophouses and the like, but with some interesting buildings, restaurants, shopping, etc., as well as character. As for the Chinese element, there is still a Chinese presence, but it is more historical than a still currently Chinese-dominated area in the sense of the Chinatowns of San Francisco, Oakland, or Vancouver (BC).

Directions: Chinatown is north of Burnside and Downtown, up to about Glisan, and between NW 3rd Ave in the west and NW 5th in the west. It centres on NW 4th.

Website: http://www.oldtownchinatown.net/

Pearl District

The Pearl District is the old mostly industrial and railroad area on the northern edge of downtown. Long neglected and decaying, it was heavily rejuvenated with condos, restaurants, shops, etc. and is an interesting mix of buildings and places. It has old commercial buildings, some old apartment buildings, old industrial buildings, and new high-rise condos and the like. It is home to many brewpubs and other places to eat or relax.

Directions: It is just north of Downtown and W Burnside St, just west of Chinatown.

Marquam Nature Park - Marquam Hill

Marquam Nature Park is a forested park with trails on Marquam Hill, next to OHSU, just south of downtown. It connects to the 4T path that goes over Marquam Hill.

Website: http://www.portlandonline.com/parks/finder/index.cfm?PropertyID=251&action=ViewPark

Downtown Downtown Review

Downtown Portland, once spiraling down into decay and neglect, has been thoroughly rejuvenated into one of the most well-functioning and well-balanced downtowns of major American cities. More low-key than places like Seattle and San Francisco, if nevertheless is alive with activity of all sorts and people of all walks of life at practically all hours of the day. It is overall beautiful and clean, with many trees in addition to its beautiful buildings, plus many places to eat, shop, or otherwise enjoy onesself. It also has great streetfood with food carts on certain blocks, particularly Alder St. This comes in a huge variety of types with some truly excellent food - see my tips on street food,Ali Baba's and Savor. The main street is Broadway, which runs north south.

This is a great place to walk around and enjoy. One can also take Max and the Streetcar throughout the area, and these are free in the Fareless Square downtown area.

Old masonry buildings, modern high-rises, wooden Victorian houses and more are all intermingled in this area, providing a wide range of feels, styles, etc. For more, also see my travelogue of downtown. This, I should note is only about the downtown core, not Old Town or Chinatown, essentially extensions of downtown but in their own distinct areas. There are tips on those, too.

Directions: This is the core area west of the Willamette River and south of Burnside.

The Portland Building Downtown Review

This is the new city hall building next to the old city hall (see my tip on that) which still houses the city council, etc. This building, built in the early 1980s, houses other city offices. It is most noted perhaps for the giant statute Portlandia on the 5th Ave side.

Address: SW 4th Ave

Directions: Southern downtown just north of the old city hall, it is between SW 4th and SW 5th, SW Main and SW Madison,

City Hall Downtown Review

Portland's old City Hall is an interesting building downtown with self-guided tours (free, of course) available.

Just to the north is the early 1980s Portland Building, a high-rise housing city offices and essentially a newer extension of city hall, but across the street. The old building houses the city council, etc.

Address: 1221 SW 4th Avenue

Directions: It's in the southern part of the core of downtown on SW 4th between Jefferson and Madison.

Phone: (503) 823-4000

Website: http://www.portlandonline.com/index.cfm